I know I’ve developed a winning recipe when I get the picky husband to eat a food he claims to despise (actually he fibs and says he’s “allergic”). After decades of marriage, I finally witnessed him ingest cranberries! Yes, he was a huge fan of this baked brie. I served cranberry Brie for our holiday cookie exchange, where it nearly disappeared. But there were enough leftovers so Bill could make himself a few nibbles before dinner. Yes, this is just THAT good! Plus, I found the perfect wine to serve my girlfriends, Cavit’s Pinot Grigio. The crisp, refreshing citrus and green apple undertones paired exquisitely with this Cranberry Brie en Croute.

Even if your results aren’t worthy of being featured in a magazine, you will still have an amazing appetizer. Here are some tips I’ve learned along the way. First, remember that puff pasty puffs best when it is COLD and the oven is HOT. My procedure goes as follows:

-Carefully cut the rind off the top of your Brie. This will be the top side when you bake.

-Roll and cut out a round of puff pastry which is big enough to totally encase the cheese. Add the topping to the center of the puff pastry. Place the Brie, cut side down, over the the topping.

-Fold the pastry over the cheese, making sure it’s all covered (you can patch with scraps if needed). Use an egg wash to seal the creases.

-Once sealed, flip back over and brush with egg wash.

-If desired, cut out decorative shapes with leftover puff pasty. “Glue” them on the top with egg wash, then brush with egg wash.

-I chill the uncooked wrapped Brie for about 20 minutes, so the puff pastry is cold. Then bake in a hot oven.

-Wait at least 20 minutes before cutting into the Brie so the cheese can firm up slightly. Bon apetit!

Remember I mentioned a lovely Pinot Grigio to sip on while eating this baked brie? This Cavit wine hail from Northern Italy, where you’ll find the best Pinot Grigio. The grapes are primarily harvested from three areas, Trentino, Fruili and Veneto where there’s exceptional soil and an ideal climate for growth. Utilizing cold fermentation and state of the art tanks contribute to the exquisite nature of this varietal. No wonder it tastes amazing!

Cavit Pinot Grigio has been rated the #1 Italian Wine in America*! The subtle flavors of citrus and green apple pair well with Feta, Chevre and Pin Nuts along with Chicken, Turkey, Sole, Oysters and Scallops. It’s perfect with dishes containing citrus, asparagus, chives, tarragon or cilantro. At the end of your meal, this wine is delightful with sorbets or any Key Lime or citrus dessert. It’s so light and refreshing that I enjoy sipping on a glass as I do the final preparations for dinner. I recommend picking up a few bottles for New Year’s Eve, whether you’re staying in or need a gift for your host! Cheers!

1 package of frozen puff pastry, thawed (I use Dufour brand. Look for butter in the ingredients for the best result)

¾ cup whole berry cranberry sauce

1-2 tablespoons dried cranberries

¼ teaspoon minced fresh rosemary

1 egg (beaten with 1 teaspoon water), to glaze

Instructions

Preheat oven to 400º. Line baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

Roll out puff pastry to smooth seams. Cut out a large round and place on baking sheet. Reserve scraps to decorate, if desired.

Cut rind off the top of the Brie.

Mix together cranberry sauce, dried cranberries and rosemary. Spoon over the center of the puff pastry round. Place the cut side of the Brie centered over the cranberry sauce. Fold puff pasty over the top of the Brie sealing overlapping pastry with egg glaze. Flip over and place on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Chill for about 30 minutes.

Brush with egg mixture, decorate with scraps cut into shapes (I made leaves and berries), brush with egg wash again. Bake for about 25 minutes. Cool for 30 minutes before serving.

My mom was an amazing cook, but she wasn’t much of a baker. When my sisters and I yearned for a sweet treat, I turned to our trusty BH&G cookbook and zeroed in on the dessert tabs. My love of baking began in my childhood kitchen. I married a chocoholic and together we had 3 children with plenty of sweet teeth. I started my blog in 2010 to chronicle my baking journey.